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Police Beat 02-14-13

Knox woman jailed on murder charge

By Cheryl Patrick
Staff Writer
STARKE — Police have jailed a Starke County woman, Kathleen Holt, 51, for the Feb. 13 shooting death of her boyfriend, Ron Worker, 46.
The incident happened at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon at 1740 S. 550 E. in Knox.
Starke County Sheriff's deputies were called to the scene after Holt reportedly phoned 911 to say that she had shot Worker.
The officers arrived at the scene at the same time as Starke County EMS. The deputies entered the residence, which is near C.R. 200 South, and discovered an unresponsive male with a gunshot wound to the chest. Once officers had secured the scene and it was safe, EMS workers were allowed to enter the home to try and resuscitate the victim.
The victim, who came to Starke County about a year ago from Highland, was transported to IU Health Starke Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Police believe they have recovered the weapon that was used in the fatal shooting.
Currently, Holt is being held on a preliminary charge of murder. A bond hearing has been scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15.
An autopsy on Worker has also been scheduled for today.
The Starke County Sheriff's Department, Starke County Coroner, and the Indiana State Police are investigating the incident.

Third arrest in January burglary
By Daniel Riordan
Managing Edtior

PLYMOUTH — A third person has been arrested in connection with a burglary that took place in early January.
Casey Joe White, 20, Wanatah was arrested Tuesday night on charges of burglary and theft.
White was booked into Marshall County Jail and held on $50,000 bond.
On Jan. 3, Plymouth police responded to a burglary at a home on the 20000 block of 5B Road.
The residents of the home stated the burglary took place in the early afternoon of Jan. 3.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the suspects had entered the residence by prying a door open. A large amount of jewelry, cash and firearms were taken from the residence.
The residents told police they believed the burglary was committed by a relative and that relative’s boyfriend, White.
On Jan. 10, police heard from an Indiana Conservation Officer who said a subject had been arrested in Starke County on Jan. 5.
At the time of the arrest, a Casey Woods, had several firearms in his vehicle as well as a large amount of jewelry.
Woods claimed the firearms belonged to a friend.
A search warrant was obtained for Woods’ vehicle. The eight firearms and jewelry recovered from the vehicle were identified by the victims as theirs.
Woods stated he received the guns from White and had no knowledge of where they came from.
Then on Jan. 16, Woods provided a detailed account and confession of committing the burglary along with White and Sara Scutchfield.
Scutchfield was arrested Jan. 22.
Woods claimed he was approached by White and Scutchfield saying knew Scutchfield’s family would be gone for a certain time.
Woods told police that he drove to the residence and the three entered the residence after White used a pry bar to open a door.
After leaving with jewelry, firearms and money, Woods drove White and Scutchfield to Westville then to a hotel in Michigan City. Woods told police the three divided the items that were taken.
The Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office states the charges filed and the accusations made in the probable cause affidavit are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until or unless the allegations are proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.